{"id":4143,"date":"2014-11-12T01:30:00","date_gmt":"2014-11-12T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2020-08-13T17:46:48","modified_gmt":"2020-08-13T21:46:48","slug":"forcing-houses-crosnes-and-rarities-my","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardern.co.za\/2014\/11\/forcing-houses-crosnes-and-rarities-my\/","title":{"rendered":"FORCING HOUSES, CROSNES AND RARITIES – MY AUTUMNAL NOTEBOOK"},"content":{"rendered":"
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THIS NERINE SARNIENSIS IS BLOOMING INSIDE THE GREENHOUSE, BUT I JUST LIKED HOW IT LOOKED AGAINST THIS FALL FOLIAGE – PINK ANG GOLD, SO ‘MARY BLAIR’.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
This was the first weekend in a while that I had both days off – which allowed me to attack my ever-growing to-do list. Even though the chores seem endless, I did make an effort enjoy some of the natural beauty happening around the garden and in the greenhouse – the organizing of which, is still on that pesky to-do list. I really should take a photo of the garden, as I know that it looks rather nice in photos – but believe me when I say that it is a complete mess. Trust me.<\/p>\n
Unfinished projects abound such as cobbled together fences, piles of junk and general garden clean up. Clutter and old tools – it’s a little crazy, and to make matters worse, Joe who had been promising to help clean up outside broke his foot this weekend, so now we are down to me, and a couple of hours every weekend. At least today, Veteran’s Day, I was able to dig a hole for a new post that will hold a new table top bird feeder, as I know the ground will be frozen in a week or so, and I was able to make some kimchi. Just an excuse to not work in the yard, but really – we need gardeners, but that’s never going to happen in my lifetime.<\/p>\n
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IN THE GREENHOUSE, A SIX FOOT TALL LOQUAT TREE (ERIOBOTRYA JAPONICA) IS BLOOMING FOR THE FIRST TIME. I DON’T EXPECT FRUITS, BUT I PLANTED IT IN THE GROUND THREE YEARS AGO WHEN I FOUND A YOUNG PLANT FOR SALE AT LOGEE’S GREENHOUSES. FINGERS CROSSED, I MAY HAVE FRUIT BY SPRING.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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I HAVE HAD THIS BULB FOR TEN YEARS, NOW MATURING, THIS STRUMARIA UNGUICULATA GROWS IN PURE SHARP SAND – RATHER RARE, AS I CANNOT FIND MORE THAN A FEW IMAGES OF IT ON GOOGLE IMAGES BEYOND MINE.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
As bulbs underglass emerge from their summer dormancy, many familiar species return with their autumnal bloom – believing that it is springtime in South Africa or South America. Along with the familiar here are a few new blooms, in particular a sweet little rarity called Stumaria unguiculata. I bought it in England years ago as a tiny bulb which I was told would mature in a few years. Now, 8 years later I can say that I remained patient with it year after year, first a single leaf for a few years, then a second leaf\u2026.so slow but I was reminded of this snails pace when I Google Image searched it, and mostly images of this little plant of mine showed up. That either means that I have the identification wrong, or there are only a few in cultivation. Either way, I cherish the little thing. I suppose it is a little strange that only I see it in my greenhouse, but at least I can share the images here with all of you.<\/p>\n
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THIS CYRTANTHUS CROSS IS BLOOMING AGAIN, I KNOW THAT I SHOW THIS ONE A LOT, BUT IT IS VERY FLORIFEROUS – BLOOMING EVERY AUTUMN FOR 12 YEARS NOW.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
This fire lily, or Cyrtanthus of which I am completely uncertain of the species blooms once again, with little attention or care. It’s pendant flowers might be an indication that one of the pendant species is a parent, but I really am uncertain about it’s parentage. I’ve shared images of this plant with the Pacific Bulb Group for at least 10 years now, but as it came from an auction at the Huntington Botanical Garden at the 2001 International Bulb Society summit, I know a few other members have it. Still, it is a mystery cross. Apparently it came from a gentlemen who bred many amaryllis, and the label had no parentage indicated on it. The blossoms are large, nearly 4 inches long. I may share a few soon, as I have divided it into a flat of divisions.<\/p>\n
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A PLANTING OF FOTHERGILLA NEVER FAILS TO IMPRESS IN THE FRONT YARD.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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BUGS? NO. THESE ARE CROSNES – AN EDIBLE TUBER OF STACHYS AFFINIS, <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n